Latch



Feb. 24, 1.931. (5, E ROEDDING 1,794,206

LATCH Filed Dec. l5, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l x mln nl.

INVENTOR 50M/0x2 iwf/dira ORNE YS.

Feb. 24, 1931. Q E, RQEDDING L'QLZ LATCH Filed Dec. 13, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Blf/@ W gam@ A TTORNEY Patented F el). 24, 1931 UNTE STATESPATENT oFFlcF.

GORDON E. RGEDDING, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO GRAND' RAPIDSBRASS COMPANY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN j f LATCH Application.filedDecember 13, 1929. SerialNo. 413,732. K

The main obj ect of this invention is to provide a reversible latchreadily adjusted for either a right or left hand latch Vand having along throw in either adjustment.

A further object is to provide a reversible latch having theseladvantages in which the parts are few, economical to produce and easilyassembled.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention willdefinitely appear from the description to follow. The invention isdefined in the claims. Y

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying` drawing, in which:

ig. 1 is a fragmentary view of a door and its casing with one of myimproved latches mounted thereon, the latch casing being shown insection on line 1 1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view with the latch in section on a linecorresponding to line 2 2 of F ig. 3, the spring supporting link beingadjusted to a central position relative to the bolt vfor convenience inillustration. The latch is inoperative when in this position. Y

Fig. 3 is an inverted fragmentary view of the latch proper with theparts in position shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. et is a fragmentary rear or inverted View with the bolt shown inactuated position by full lines and in retracted position by.

dotted lines. j

Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of the back plate of the latch.

In the accompanying drawing 1 represents a door casing and 2 the door.The body 3 of the latch is preferably a stamping. This latch body isprovided with a back plate 4 having special features which will be re-Vferred to as the description proceeds.

The rear wall 5 of the housing has an opening therein to receive thebolt 6. The front Wall 7 has an opening through which the bolt projects.In forming the rear opening a portion 8 is struck inwardly as shown inFig. 2, this inturned portion having a pivot 9 formed thereon engaging apivot opening in the top of the bolt.

The bolt is chambered and has a longitudinal the letters L and R onFigs. .3 andf, in`

dicating right and left. These pivot seats are disposed on oppositesides of and uniformly spaced from thevbolt pivot 9.

A bridge piece-17 is struck up' from the rear portion ofthe back plateoverlapping the pivoted end of the link, thereby retaining its pivot inVengagement with the pivot seats. This bridge piece also has an upwardlyproj ecting lug 18 disposed in alinement with the pivot andconstit'utingfa pivot member for the bolt, the lug engaging withinthe'chamber of the bolt.

A coiled spring 19 is engaged with a spherically curved seat 2O providedtherefor on the arm 12, its other end being supported by a lug 21 struckinwardly from one of the side walls of the bolt, see Fig. 2. With theparts thus arranged the spring acts to urge the Vbolt'to latchingposition, the spring being placed under additional stress as the bolt isswung from this latching position or retracted.

To hold the bolt in retracted position against the tension of thespring, the bolt is provided with downwardly projecting detents 22 whichare adapted to engage with the slot-like keepers 23 disposed at eachSide of the central position of the bolt. The thrust of the spring tendsto swing the boltv rearwardly so that it is automatically engaged withthese keepers when swung to retracted position or to position bringingthe detents 22 in alinement with the openings 23.

lith this arrangement o t parts the latch has a long stroke or throw,that is, the bolt is free to swing a considerable distance beyond thecenter oi the latch, so that it is very effective insealing doors suchas for refrigerators, or in taking up or compensating for wear andcompression on the gaskets or' refrigerator doors and the like.

' In most latches othis type the normal or stop position of the boltunder the action of its spring is a central position, thereby limitingthe effective compressing action to the latch center position, whereasin the latch of this application this throw' and consequent take-up arevery substantially increased, and this without increasing the size ofthe latch.

Stops 24 are struck inwardly from the front wall Iof the housing inposition to be engaged by the lug lli on the arm of the `springsupporting link. Only one ofthese stops is in operative position at onetime as the lug clears the other. These stops can be positioned withoutincreasing the size oi the latch to permit a greater throw than ispossible with the latchillustrated. The advantage'oi this is,` asstated, much greater than that ot the ordinary reversible latch.

n The keeper .Q5-is provided with a' tappet 2G adapted to disen gage thebolt detent from its keeper when the door is swung to closed positionwith the latch retracted, thereby allowing the spring to act to engagethe latch.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodimentespecially designed for refrigerator doors or other relatively heavydoors. describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed thatthis disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adaptthev samelas maybe desired..`

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is.:

l. In a latch, the combination with a housing provided with a backplate, a chambered bolt pivotally mounted in said housing and' having Vaslot in its top wall and a rearwardlyprojecting detent, said housingback plate having notch-like pivot seats on its rear edge disposed onopposite sides of the bolt pivot and also having keeper openingsdisposed on opposite sides ot' the plane of the pivot to coact with saiddetent, a spring supporting link having a pivot selectively enga geablewith said seats in said back plate, the swinging end of said link havingan upwardly projecting arm Vat its front end disposed through said slotin said bolt and having a lug overlapping the top of the bolt, said bolthaving a spring supporting lug in spaced relation to said arm, said backplate also having a bridge piece struck up at the rear edge thereooverhanging the rear end of said spring l have not attempted t0'supporting link and provided with an upwardly projecting bolt engaginglug alined with the bolt pivot, and a coiled spring arranged in saidbolt in supporting engagement with its said spring supporting lug andsaid arm on said spring supporting link.

2. ln a latch, the combination with a housing provided with a backplate, a chambered bolt pivotally mounted in said housing and having aslot in its top wall and a rearwardly projecting detent, said housingback plate having pivot seats disposed on opposite sides et the boltpivot and also having keeper opendisposed on opposite sides of the planeorthe pivot to coact with'said detent, a spring supporting link having apivot selectively engageable with said seats in said back plate, theswinging end of said link having an upwardly projecting arn'rat itsfront end disposed through said slot in said bolt and having a lugoverlapping the top ofthe bolt, said holt l iving spring supporting lugin spaced relation to said arm, and a coiled spring arranged in saidbolt in supporting engagement with its lsaid spring supporting lug andsaid arm on said spring supporting link.

l. in a i ch, theconibination with a housing provided with a back plate,a chambered boit pivotally n'lo'unted in 'said housing and having aulotin its top wall and LLI-rearwardlj 'L oie "ng detent, said'housingback plate having notch-like pivot seats on its rear edge dispos' l onopposite sides of the'bolt pivot l also having keeper openings disposedon enact with said' detent, spring supporting link having a pivotselectively eiigageable with said seats in said back plate, the swingingend oi said link having an upwardly projecting arm at its front enddisposed through said slot in said bolt and having a lug overlapping thetop of the bolt, said arm having a e spherieally curved spring seatthereon, said bolt having a'spring supporting'lug in spaced relation tosaid arm, a coiled spring arranged in said bolt insupporting engagementth its said spring supporting lug" and said arm on said springsupporting link, and spaced stops on said casing enacting with said lugon said link. Y

el. in a latch, the combination with a housing provided with a backplate, a' chamered bolt pivotally mounted in said housing and having aslot in its top wall and a rearwardly projecting detent, said housingback plate having notch-like pivot seats on its rear edge disposedon'opposite sides of the bolt pivot and also having keeper' openingsdisposed on opposite sides ot the plane of the pivot to vcoactwith saiddetent, a spring supporting link having a pivot selectively engageablewith said seats in said back: plate, the swinging end of said linkhaving anup- .vardly projecting arm fat its front end dis- .site sidesofthe plane of the pivot to Y lee lIllu ist ifi)

, spring arranged in said bolt in posed through said slot in said boltand having a lug overlapping the top ot' the bolt, said arm having aspherically curved spring seat thereon, said bolt having springsupporting lug in spaced relation to said arm, anda coiled springarranged in said bolt in supporting engagement with its said spring susporting lug and said arm onsaid spring supporting link. Y

5. ln a laten, the combination with a housing provided with a backplate, a chainbered bolt pivotally mounted in said housing and having aslot in its top wall, said housing back plate having pivot seatsdisposed on opposite sides of the bolt pivot, a spring supporting linkhaving a pivot selectively engageable with said seats in said backplate, the swinging end of said link having an upwardly projecting armat its trout end disposed through said slot in said bolt and having alug overlapping the top of the bolt, said arm having a sphericallycurved spring seat thereon, said bolt having a spring supporting lug inspaced relation to said arm, a coiled supporting engagement with itssaid spring supporting lug and said arm on said spring supporting linkand s iaced stois on said casino` coactine' 7 .l b with said lug on saidlink.

6. In a latch,the combination with a housing provided with a back plate,a chambered boltl pivotally mounted in said housing and having a slot inits top wall, said housing back plate having pivot seats disposed onopposite sides ot the bolt pivot, a spring supporting link having apivot selectively engageable with said seats in said back plate, theswinging end of said link having an upwardly projecting arm at its:tr-ont end disposed through said slot in said bolt and l aving a lugoverlapping the top ot the bolt, said arm having a spherically curvedspring seat thereon, said bolt having a spring supporting lug in spacedrelation to said arm, and a coiled spring airanged in said bolt insupporting engagement with its said spring supporting lug and said arm'on said spring supporting link.

'1'. In a latch, the combination with a housing provided with abackplate, a bolt pivotally mounted in said housing, said housing back platehaving notch-like pivot seats on its rearV edge disposed on oppositesides ot the bolt pivot, a spring supporting link having a pivotselectivelyT engageable with said seats in said back plate, the swingingend ot said link being slidably associated with said bolt, a springmounted on said bolt in supporting engagement with said link, said backplate also having a bridge piece struck up at the rear edge thereofoverhanging the rear end ot` said spring supporting link and providedwith an upwardly projecting bolt engaging lugs alined with the boltpivot.

8. In a latch, the combination with a housing provided with a backplate, a bolt pivotally mounted in said housing, said housing back platehaving notch-like pivot seats on its rear edge disposed on oppositesides of the bolt pivot, a spring supporting link having a vpivotselectively engageable with said seats in said back'plate, the swingingend of said link being slidably associated with said bolt, and a springmounted on said bolt in supporting engagement with said link, said backplate also having a bridge piece struck up at the rear edge thereofoyerhanging the rear end of said spring supporting link.

9. ln a latch, the combination with a housing provided with a backplate, a. bolt pivotally mounted in said housing, said housing backplate having notch-like pivot seats on its rear edo'e dis osed on oosite sides of the bolt pivot, a spring supporting link having a pivotselectively engageable with said seats in said back plate, the swingingend of said link being slidably associated with said bolt, and a springmounted on said bolt in supporting engagement with said link.

l0. ln a latch, the ycombination, with a housing, a chambered boltpivotally mounted within said housing and having a slot in its top wall,a spring supporting` link having an upwardly project-ing arm on itsswinging end disposed through said slot in said .bolt and having a lugoverlapping the top of the bolt., said housing being provided with linksupporting means disposed at opposite sides of the bolt pivot and withwhich the link may be selectively engaged, a spring mounted within saidbolt to engage said arm on said link, and spaced stops in said casinglimiting the swing of said bolt in latch engaging di- Y housing, achambered bolt pivotally mount-l ed within said housing and having aslot in its top wall, a spring supporting link having an upwardlypro]ecting arm on its swinging end disposed through said slot in saidbolt and having a lug overlappingthe top of the bolt, said housing beingprovided with link support ng means disposed at opposite sides ot thebolt pivot and with which the link may be selectively engaged, and aspring mounted within said bolt to engage said arm on said link.

12. ln a latch, the` combination with a housing, oi a chambered boltpivotally mounted in said housing, a spring support adapted to beVsell-actively mounted within said housing at either side ot' the boltpivot, the swinging end ol said support being slidably 'engaged withsaid bolt, a spring mounted on said bolt to engage the swinging end ofsaid support, coacting detents and keepers on said housing and boltadapted to support the bolt in retracted position when swung in eitherdirection from a central pol sition, and spaced-stopsv on said housingcoacting with the swinging end of said support. 13. In a latch, thecombination with a housing, of a bolt pivotally mounted in said housing,a spring support adapted to be selectively mounted within said housingat either yside oie the bolt pivot, the swinging end of said supportbeing slidably engaged with said bolt, a spring mountedon said vbolt toengage the swing end of said support, and coacting detente and keeperson said housing and bolt adapted to support the bolt in retractedposition when swung in either direction from a central position.

le. ln a latch, the combination with a housing ot a bolt pivotallymounted in said housing, a spring support adapted to be selectivelymounted within said housing at either side oi the bolt pivot,l theswinging end of said support being slidably engaged with lsaid bolt, aspring mounted on said bolt to engage the swinging end of said support,and spaced stopsl on said housing coacting with the swinging end of saidsupport. Y y

15. ln a latch, the combination with a housing, oi a chambered boltpivotally mounted in said housing, spring support pivotally mountedwithin said housing at one side of.

the-bolt pivot, the swinging end of said support being slidably engagedwith said bolt,

a spring supported within said bolt to engage the swinging end ot saidsupport, ceacting delents keepers on said housing and bolt adapted tosupport the bolt in retracted position, and a stop on said housingcoacting with the swinging end ot said support.

16. ln a latch, the combination with a housing, oi a bolt pivotallymounted in said housing, a spring supporting link slidably engaged atone end with the bolt and adapted to be selectively pivoted at eitherside of the bolt pivot, and a spring mounted on the bolt to act on theswinging end of said link.

17. ln a latch, the combination with a housing, of a bolt pivotallymounted in said housing, a spring supporting link slidably engaged atone end with the bolt and adapted to be selectively pivoted at eitherside o1" the bolt pivot, and a spring acting on the swinging end or"said link.

18. ln a latch, the combination oit a housing, a bolt pivotally mountedin said housing, said housing having an opening in its front wallpermitting a tree swinging of the bolt in either direction from acentral position, a spring support having sliding engagement with thebolt and adapted to be selectively pivoted at either side or" the boltpivot, and a spring acting on the swinging end of the support.

19. ln a latch, the combination with a housing,o a bolt pivotallymounted in said housing, a link pivotally mounted in said housing inspaced relation to the bolt'pivot, the swinging end of said link beingslidably engaged with the bolt, and a sprin arranged Within aild bolt toengage the swinging end ot said 20. ln a latch, the combination with ahousing, of a bolt pivotally mounted in said housing, a link pivotallymounted in vsaid housing in spaced relation to the bolt pivot, theswinging end of said link being slidably engaged with thek bolt, and aspring acting on the swinging end of said link.

ln witness whereof I have hereunto -set my hand.

GORDON E. ROEDDING.

